George Mason launches Grand Challenge Initiative to secure sustainable, prosperous future

George Mason University has launched its Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), a comprehensive research framework backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment. The initiative will align university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas addressing what George Mason President Gregory Washington describes as “humanity’s ultimate grand challenge”—securing a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future. 

“Our world is at a crossroads,” he said. “It is time to either brace for global decline and a future that none of us want, or seize control of our destiny and work to reverse course. It will take all of us working together on all these solutions at once to alter the trajectory of our future.” 

The initiative, developed through a faculty-driven task force led by Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, focuses on six grand solutions: 

1. Advancing 21st-century education for all 

2. Building a climate-resilient society 

3. Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure 

4. Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness 

5. Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration 

6. Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy 

In the latest episode of the Access to Excellence podcast, Marshall discusses this new initiative and how it will shape the future of our university. 

“George Mason is driven by discovery,” said Marshall. “This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives.” 

GCI will enhance educational opportunities, increase faculty talent and expertise, align current research projects, seed new proposals, and build essential infrastructure across George Mason’s campuses. Working in conjunction with the university’s billion-dollar Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign, the initiative seeks partnerships with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations. 

Several pioneering projects already are underway, including: 

• A $5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to expand the number of counselors serving high-need schools 

• A $1 million Google-funded cybersecurity clinic partnership with Howard University 

• A $6 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to help local communities become climate-resilient 

• A $1.78 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to improve maternal and child health through a study on environmental impacts and health outcomes 

• The Landolt NASA Space Mission is George Mason’s first space mission and will place an artificial “star” in orbit to enhance telescope calibration 

• The Carter School was named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 Hub Chair, one of only two U.S. universities selected for peace and conflict resolution 

As the most innovative public university in Virginia according to U.S. News & World Report rankings for two consecutive years, George Mason continues to expand its research footprint and economic impact across the commonwealth.

A media tool kit for the George Mason community is currently being developed. This will include graphics, Powerpoint slides, and email signatures, and it will be made available on the GCI website.